Plastic baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and processes for their manufacture

ABSTRACT

The invention is generally directed to baby bottles and other articles produced by blow molding from polymeric materials having glass transition temperatures ranging from 100° C. to 130° C., as well as to processes for producing them. These articles can be exposed to boiling water and can be produced by using a suitable combination of a stretch ratio of less than 3 and a preform temperature at least 20° C. greater than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymeric material.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to: U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/989,489 filed on Nov. 21, 2007; U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/034,547, filed on Mar. 7, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally directed to baby bottles and other articlesproduced by blow molding from polymeric materials having glasstransition temperatures ranging from 100° C. to 130° C. as well as toprocesses for producing them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic is a popular material used to make baby bottles and other infantcare products that are both transparent and shatter resistant.Typically, baby bottles are sterilized prior to use by immersion inboiling water or by exposure to the steam of boiling water. Times ofexposure are typically 5-20 minutes, but exposures for up to an hour,and even longer, are possible. Conventional bottles made using commonclear plastic materials, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (“PET”),typically lose their shape during sterilization due to the low glasstransition temperature (Tg) of these materials relative to boilingwater. Thus, plastics with higher Tg values, such as bisphenol-Apolycarbonate, amorphous polyamide, and polysulfone, are commonly usedto fabricate baby bottles.

Most baby bottles are produced by blow molding, which restricts thematerials used in baby bottles to high Tg plastic materials. Blowmolding typically involves the injection molding of a preform in aninjection mold, followed by pressurized-air inflation of this preform ata warm temperature in a blow mold. The bottle is then quenched below theTg of the material by contact with the blow mold. This quenching afterinflation, however, traps molecular orientation into the sidewalls ofthe bottle that can be released during boiling-water sterilization,causing the bottle to distort or shrink. In order to prevent shrinkageduring boiling water sterilization, the Tg of plastics currentlyemployed in the prior art to produce blow molded baby bottles is atleast 30° C. above boiling water, that is, at least 130° C.

These high Tg materials also have certain deficiencies, such as cost,unfavorable consumer perception because of the presence of bisphenol A,insufficient chemical resistance, insufficient hydrolytic stability,etc, which can limit their use in these applications. Thus, there is aneed in the industry for baby bottles produced from alternative plasticmaterials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally directed to baby bottles and otherarticles produced by blow molding from polymeric materials having glasstransition temperatures ranging from 100° C. to 130° C., as well as toprocesses for producing them. These articles can be produced by asuitable combination of stretch ratio and process conditions during blowmolding and are capable of being exposed to boiling water (for the firsttime) without exhibiting detrimental shrinking or distortion.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterinitial immersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polymericmaterial having a Tg of from 100° C. to 130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottle(or other blow molded article) formed of a polymeric material, whereinsaid polymeric material comprises terephthalic acid residues,2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein said polymeric material hasa Tg from 100° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle (or other blow moldedarticle) displays shrinkage of 5% or less after initial immersion inboiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded babybottle formed of a polymeric material, wherein said polymeric materialcomprises terephthalic acid residues,2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein said polymeric material hasa Tg from 100° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of5% or less after initial immersion in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottle(or other blow molded article) formed of a polymeric material, whereinsaid polymeric material comprises terephthalic acid residues,2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein said polymeric material hasa Tg from 100° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle has a transmissionratio greater than 0.80, wherein said bottle (or other blow moldedarticle) displays shrinkage of 5% or less after initial immersion inboiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded babybottle formed of a polymeric material, wherein said polymeric materialcomprises terephthalic acid residues,2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein said polymeric material hasa Tg from 100° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle has a transmissionratio greater than 0.80, wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 5% orless after initial immersion in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bottle (or otherblow molded article) comprising a polymeric material having a Tg from100° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or lessafter initial immersion in boiling water for one hour, and wherein saidpolymeric material comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bottle (or otherblow molded article) comprising a polymeric material having a Tg from110° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or lessafter initial immersion in boiling water for one hour, and wherein saidpolymeric material comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bottle (or otherblow molded article) comprising a polymeric material having a Tg from110° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or lessafter initial immersion in boiling water for one hour, and wherein saidpolymeric material comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/l 00 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bottle (or otherblow molded article) comprising a polymeric material having a Tg from100° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle has a transmission ratio greaterthan 0.80, wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or less afterinitial immersion in boiling water for one hour, and wherein saidpolymeric material comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bottle (or otherblow molded article) comprising a polymeric material having a Tg from110° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle has a transmission ratio greaterthan 0.80, wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or less afterinitial immersion in boiling water for one hour, and wherein saidpolymeric material comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bottle (or otherblow molded article) comprising a polymeric material having a Tg from110° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle has a transmission ratio greaterthan 0.80, wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or less afterinitial immersion in boiling water for one hour, and wherein saidpolymeric material comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bottle (or otherblow molded article) comprising a polymeric material having a Tg from110° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or lessafter initial immersion in boiling water for one hour, and wherein saidpolymeric material comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bottle (or otherblow molded article) comprising a polymeric material having a Tg from110° C. to 130° C., wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or lessafter initial immersion in boiling water for one hour, and wherein saidpolymeric material comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.0.55        to 0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.0.55        to 0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C. In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby        bottle (or other blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5%        or less after immersion in boiling water for one hour,        comprising a polyester composition which comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 55 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 40 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.0.55        to 0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/l 00 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.0.55        to 0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        140° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a baby bottle (orother blow molded article) having a shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour, comprising a polyestercomposition which comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which further comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and    -   wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to        125° C.

In one embodiment, bottles, baby bottles, or other blow molded articlesare produced with a stretch ratio of less than or equal to 3. In anotherembodiments, the stretch ratio is less than or equal to 2.5 or less thanor equal to 2.0. In yet another embodiment, the stretch ratio is in therange from 1.2 to 2.0. In one embodiment, the preform temperature at thetime of inflation is Tg+20° C. or higher. In another embodiment, thepreform temperature at the time of inflation is Tg+30° C. or higher. Inanother embodiment, the stretch ratio is less than 2 and the preformtemperature is Tg+30° C. or higher. In another embodiment, the stretchratio is less than 1.6 and the preform temperature is Tg+20° C. orhigher. By comparison, typical prior art plastic soft-drink containershave stretch ratios of greater than 3 and their preforms are typicallyat a temperature of Tg+20° C. at the time of blowing.

In another embodiment, bottles, baby bottles, or other blow moldedarticles are produced with a stretch ratio less than a calculatedstretch ratio (CSR) determined by the following equation:CSR=(0.022)(PT)+(0.074)(Tg)−10, Where PT is the preform temperature atthe time of inflation and Tg is the glass transition temperature of thepolymerit material from which the preform is made. In other embodiments,the stretch ratio of the blow molded article or bottle with respect tothe preform is 20 to 99%, 30 to 95%, or 40 to 90% of the calculatedstretch ratio (CSR).

In another embodiment, the preform temperature at the time of inflationis greater than a calculated preform temperature (CPT) determined by thefollowing equation: CPT=(45.44)(SR)−(3.36)(Tg)+454, wherein SR is thestretch ratio of the bottle relative to the preform and Tg is the glasstransition temperature of the polymeric material being blow molded. Inone embodiment, the preform temperature at the time of inflation isgreater than the calculated preform temperature (CPT) by one or more ofthe following amounts: 1 to 80° C., 10 to 70° C., and/or 20 to 60° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for making ababy bottle (or other blow molded article) comprising blow molding apreform made from a polymeric material, wherein the preform temperatureat the time of inflation is at least 20° C. above the Tg temperature ofthe polymeric material; wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottlewith respect to the preform is 2.7 or less; wherein the Tg of thepolymeric material is from 100° C. to 130° C.; and wherein the babybottle displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling waterfor one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for making ababy bottle (or other blow molded article) comprising blow molding apreform made from a polymeric material, wherein the preform temperatureat the time of inflation is at least 20° C. above the Tg temperature ofthe polymeric material; wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (orother blow molded article) with respect to the preform is 2.7 or less;wherein the Tg of the polymeric material is from 100° C. to 130° C.;wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article) displaysshrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling water for one hour;and wherein the polymeric material comprises at least one polyester,which comprises

-   -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:        -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;        -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues            having up to 20 carbon atoms; and        -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues            having up to 16 carbon atoms; and    -   (b) a glycol component comprising:        -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of            2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and        -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, in the baby bottles, other blow moldedarticles and/or process(es) of the invention, the polymeric material canbe chosen from at least one of polyacrylics, polystyrenes, polyesters;blends thereof, and polycarbonate/polyester blends.

In one aspect of the invention, in the baby bottles, other blow moldedarticles, and/or process(es) of the invention, the polymeric material ischosen from at least one polyester. In another aspect, the polymericmaterial comprises a polyester in an amount of at least 90, 95, 99, or99.5 weight percent based on the total weight of the polymeric material.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orthe processes of the invention, the glycol component of the polyestercomposition can comprise: 10 to 50 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 50 to 90 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; 20 to 45 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 65 to 80 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; 30 to 40 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 60 to 70 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; or 33 to 37 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 63 to 67 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orprocesses of the invention, the polyester can have a Tg of from 100 to130° C.; or from 110 to 130° C.; or from 100 to 125° C.; or from 105 to125° C.; or from 115 to 125° C.; or from 118 to 122° C.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orprocesses of the invention, the preform temperature at the time ofinflation can be at least 30° C. above the Tg temperature of thepolymeric material and/or polyester.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the preform temperatureat the time of inflation can be from 30° C. above the Tg temperature ofthe polymeric material and/or polyester to 70° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polymeric material and/or polyester. In one aspect ofthe processes of the invention, the preform temperature at the time ofinflation can be from 30° C. above the Tg temperature of the polymericmaterial and/or polyester to 60° C. above the Tg temperature of thepolymeric material and/or polyester.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the stretch ratio ofthe baby bottle with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.7 or from1.2 to 2.5 or from 1.2 to 2.0 or from 1.3 to 1.7.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orthe processes of the invention, the baby bottle (or other blow moldedarticle) can have shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boilingwater for one hour; or can have a shrinkage of 4% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour; or can have a shrinkage of 3%or less after immersion in boiling water for one hour; or can have ashrinkage of 2% or less after immersion in boiling water for one hour;or can have a shrinkage of 1% or less after immersion in boiling waterfor one hour. The shrinkage percentages referred to herein of the blowmolded articles or bottles are understood to mean that the shrinkagepercentage is being measured after the blow molded article or bottle isimmersed for the first time in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orthe processes of the invention, the side wall of the baby bottle (orother blow molded article) can have: a haze of 3% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour; or a haze of 2% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour; or a haze of 1% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour. In one aspect of the babybottles, other blow molded articles, and/or the processes of theinvention, at least one side wall of the baby bottle (or other blowmolded article) can have: a birefringence of 0.02 or less; or abirefringence of 0.015 or less; or a birefringence of 0.01 or less.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orthe processes of the invention, the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (orother blow molded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to2.5; wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to 125°C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article) displaysshrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling water for one hour;and the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g asdetermined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentrationof 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orthe processes of the invention, the preform temperature at the time ofinflation of the baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can be atleast 30° C. above the Tg temperature of the polyester composition.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orthe processes of the invention, the preform temperature at the time ofinflation of the baby bottle (or other blow molded article) is at least30° C. above the Tg temperature of the polyester composition; whereinthe stretch ratio of the baby bottle with respect to the preform is from1.4 to 2.0; wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C.to 125° C.; and wherein the baby bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or lessafter immersion in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orthe processes of the invention, the preform temperature at the time ofinflation of the baby bottle (or other blow molded article) is at least30° C. above the Tg temperature of the polyester composition; whereinthe stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow molded articleblowmolded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.0; whereinthe Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to 125° C.;

-   -   wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded articleblow molded        article) displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in        boiling water for one hour;    -   wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, baby bottles, other blow moldedarticles, and/or processes of the invention, the inherent viscosity ofthe polyester useful in the invention can be from 0.58 to 0.74 dL/g or0.55 to 0.80 dL/g or 0.55 to 0.75 dL/g as d baby bottles, other blowmolded articles, and/or processes of the invention, etermined in 60/40(wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at25° C.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orprocesses of the invention, the glycol component of the polyester usefulin the invention can comprise 20 to 45 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 65 to 80 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues;

-   -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester can be from 0.55        to 0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.; and the polyester can have a Tg of from 105 to 125° C.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orprocesses of the invention, the glycol component of the polyester usefulin the invention can comprise 30 to 40 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 60 to 70 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and the inherent viscosity of thepolyester can be from 0.58 to 0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/l 00 ml at 25° C.;and the polyester can have a Tg of from 115 to 125° C.

In one aspect of the baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and/orprocesses of the invention, the glycol component of the polyester usefulin the invention can comprise a polyester comprising 33 to 37 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 63 to 67 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; the inherent viscosity of thepolyester can be from 0.60 to 0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.;and the polyester can have a Tg of from 118 to 122° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 20° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 2.7 or less;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.; and wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded        article) displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in        boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 20° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 2.7 or less;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 100° C. to        130° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.45 to        1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane        at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 20° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition; wherein the stretch ratio ofthe baby bottle (or other blow molded article) with respect to thepreform is from 1.2 to 2.5; wherein the Tg of the polyester compositionis from 105° C. to 125° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blowmolded article) displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion inboiling water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:

-   -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 65 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.5;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 65 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is from 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition to 70° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition; wherein the stretch ratio ofthe baby bottle (or other blow molded article) with respect to thepreform is from 1.2 to 2.5; wherein the Tg of the polyester compositionis from 105° C. to 125° C.;

-   -   wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article) displays        shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling water for one        hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 65 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other article        of manfacture) with respect to the preform is from 1.4 to 2.0;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 20 to 45 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 65 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.0;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to        125° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (blow molded        article) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.0; wherein        the Tg of the polyester composition is from 105° C. to 125° C.;        wherein the baby bottle (blow molded article) displays shrinkage        of 5% or less after immersion in boiling water for one hour;        wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.0;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to        125° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.55 to        0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other article        of manufacature) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.0;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to        125° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other article of        manufacature) displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion        in boiling water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition        comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (blow molded        article) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.0; wherein        the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to 125° C.;        wherein the baby bottle (blow molded article) displays shrinkage        of 5% or less after immersion in boiling water for one hour;        wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (blow molded        article) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.0; wherein        the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to 125° C.;        wherein the baby bottle (blow molded article) displays shrinkage        of 5% or less after immersion in boiling water for one hour;        wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.0;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to        125° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.58 to        0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.0;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 115° C. to        125° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 30 to 40 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.2 to 2.0;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 118° C. to        122° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.3 to 1.7;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 118° C. to        122° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.3 to 1.7;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 118° C. to        122° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 3% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to        0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.3 to 1.7;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 118° C. to        122° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 3% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 33 to 37 mole % of                2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and            -   ii) 63 to 67 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol                residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.64 to        0.65 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the processes of the invention, the process for makinga baby bottle (or other blow molded article) can comprise blow molding apreform made from a polyester composition, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polyester composition;

-   -   wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle (or other blow        molded article) with respect to the preform is from 1.3 to 1.7;        wherein the Tg of the polyester composition is from 118° C. to        122° C.; wherein the baby bottle (or other blow molded article)        displays shrinkage of 3% or less after immersion in boiling        water for one hour; wherein the polyester composition comprises:    -   (I) at least one polyester, which comprises        -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:            -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;            -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and            -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid                residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and        -   (b) a glycol component comprising:            -   i) 35 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol                residues; and            -   ii) 65 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %;    -   wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.64 to        0.65 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)        phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at        25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molding processcomprising: blow molding a preform into a bottle, wherein the stretchratio (SR) of said bottle with respect to said preform is 3.0 or less,wherein said preform is formed of a polymeric material having a glasstransition temperature (Tg) from 100 to 130° C., wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is greater than a calculatedpreform temperature (CPT) determined by the following equation:CPT=(45.44)(SR)−(3.36)(Tg)+454.

In one aspect of the invention, the Tg of the polymeric material is from110 to 130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the preform temperature at the time of inflation is1 to 80° C. greater than said calculated preform temperature.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the preform temperature at the time of inflation is10 to 70° C. greater than said calculated preform temperature.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the preform temperature at the time of inflation is20 to 60° C. greater than said calculated preform temperature.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es), wherein the stretch ratio of said bottle with respect tosaid preform is from 1.2 to 2.5.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es), wherein the stretch ratio of said bottle with respect tosaid preform is from 1.2 to 2.0.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es), wherein the stretch ratio of said bottle with respect tosaid preform is from 1.3 to 1.7.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle displays shrinkage of 4% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle displays shrinkage of 3% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle displays shrinkage of 2% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle displays shrinkage of 1% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material has a Tg from 105 to 125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material has a Tg from 110 to 125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material has a Tg from 115 to 125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle has a transmission ratio of 0.80 orgreater.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle has a transmission ratio of 0.90 orgreater.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle has a transmission ratio of 0.95 orgreater.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle has a birefringence of 0.02 or less.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle has a birefringence of 0.015 or less.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle has a birefringence of 0.01 or less.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material has an inherent viscosityfrom 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material has an inherent viscosityfrom 0.60 to 0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the stretch ratio of said bottle with respect to thepreform is 2.0 or less, wherein the bottle displays shrinkage of 3% orless after immersion in boiling water for one hour, wherein thepolymeric material has a Tg from 105 to 125° C., wherein the bottle hasa transmission ratio of 0.90 or greater, wherein the bottle has abirefringence of 0.015 or less, wherein the polymeric material has aninherent viscosity from 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material is selected from the groupconsisting of polyacrylics, polystyrenes, polyesters; blends thereof,and polycarbonate/polyester blends.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material comprises a polyester in anamount of at least 95 weight percent based on the total weight of saidpolymeric material.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material comprises a polyester in anamount of at least 99.5 weight percent based on the total weight of saidpolymeric material.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material comprises terephthalic acidresidues, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues,

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material comprises at least onepolyester, which comprises

-   -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:        -   i) 70 to 1 00 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;        -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues            having up to 20 carbon atoms; and        -   iii) 0 to 1 0 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues            having up to 16 carbon atoms; and    -   (b) a glycol component comprising:        -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of            2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and        -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of said dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of said glycol component is 100        mole %.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the glycol component of the polyester comprises 20to 45 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and 65to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein thepolyester has an inherent viscosity from 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g as determinedin 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5g/100 ml at 25° C., wherein the polyester has a Tg from 105 to 125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the glycol component of said polyester comprises 30to 40 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and 60to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein thepolyester has an inherent viscosity from 0.58 to 0.74 dL/g as determinedin 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5g/100 ml at 25° C., wherein the polyester has a Tg from 115 to 125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the stretch ratio of the bottle with respect to thepreform is 2.0 or less, wherein the bottle displays shrinkage of 3% orless after immersion in boiling water for one hour, wherein the bottlehas a transmission ratio of 0.90 or greater, wherein said bottle has abirefringence of 0.015 or less.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle is a baby bottle65. In one aspect of theinvention, there is provided a blow molding process(es) comprising: blowmolding a preform into a bottle, wherein the preform is formed of apolymeric material having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from 100to 130° C., wherein the preform temperature at the time of inflation isat least 20° C. above the Tg of the polymeric material, wherein thestretch ratio of the bottle with respect to the preform is less than acalculated stretch ratio (CSR) determined by the following equation:CSR=(0.022)(PT)+(0.074)(Tg)−10.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the stretch ratio of the bottle with respect to thepreform is 20 to 99% of the calculated stretch ratio.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the stretch ratio of said bottle with respect to thepreform is 30 to 95% of said calculated stretch ratio.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the stretch ratio of said bottle with respect to thepreform is 40 to 90% of said calculated stretch ratio.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the preform temperature at the time of inflation isat least 30° C. above the Tg of the polymeric material.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the preform temperature at the time of inflation isfrom 30° C. above the Tg of the polymeric material to 70° C. above theTg of the polymeric material.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle displays shrinkage of 3% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material has a Tg from 1 05 to 125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle has a transmission ratio of 0.90 orgreater.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle has a transmission ratio of 0.95 orgreater.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein said bottle has a birefringence of 0.02 or less.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle has a birefringence of 0.015 or less.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material has an inherent viscosityfrom 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material comprises terephthalic acidresidues, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues,

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the polymeric material comprises at least onepolyester, which comprises

-   -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:        -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;        -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues            having up to 20 carbon atoms; and        -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues            having up to 16 carbon atoms; and    -   (b) a glycol component comprising:        -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of            2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and        -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100        mole %.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the glycol component of said polyester comprises 30to 40 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and 60to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow moldingprocess(es) wherein the bottle is a baby bottle.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottleformed of a polymeric material, wherein said polymeric materialcomprises terephthalic acid residues,2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein said polymeric material hasa Tg from 100 to 130° C., wherein said bottle has a transmission ratiogreater than 0.80, wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or lessafter immersion in boiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said polymeric material has a Tg from 110 to 130° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said polymeric material has a Tg from 105 to 125° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 3% or less after immersion inboiling water for one hour.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said bottle has a transmission ratio of 0.90 or greater.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said bottle has a transmission ratio of 0.95 or greater.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said bottle has a birefringence of 0.02 or less.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said bottle has a birefringence of 0.015 or less.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said polymeric material has an inherent viscosity from 0.55 to0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said polymeric material comprises a polyester in an amount of atleast 95 weight percent based on the total weight of said polymericmaterial.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said polymeric material comprises a polyester in an amount of atleast 99.5 weight percent based on the total weight of said polymericmaterial.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said polymeric material comprises at least one polyester, whichcomprises

-   -   (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising:        -   i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues;        -   ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues            having up to 20 carbon atoms; and        -   iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues            having up to 16 carbon atoms; and    -   (b) a glycol component comprising:        -   i) 10 to 50 mole % of            2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and        -   ii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues,    -   wherein the total mole % of said dicarboxylic acid component is        100 mole %, and the total mole % of said glycol component is 100        mole %.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said glycol component of said polyester comprises 30 to 40 mole% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and 60 to 70 mole% of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blow molded bottlewherein said blow molded bottle is a baby bottle.

Any of the processes of the invention can be used to make at least oneof the blow molded articles of the invention, including but not limitedto baby bottles, bottles, containers, and/or food stuff containers.

The invention also relates to blow molded articles, including but notlimited to baby bottles, which are made by at least one of the processesof the invention.

In addition, this invention also relates to blow molded articles,including but not limited to baby bottles, which can be made by at leastone of the processes of the invention.

In one aspect of the invention, the side wall of a baby bottle (or othermolded article) can have at least one transmission ratio selected from:0.80 or greater; 0.85 or greater; 0.90 or greater; 0.95 or greater; and1.0 or greater.

In one aspect of the invention, the polyesters useful in the processesof the invention can comprise a phosphate ester.

In one aspect of the invention, the polyesters useful in the processesof the invention can comprise an aryl phosphate ester.

In one aspect of the invention, the polyesters useful in the processesof the invention can comprise a triaryl phosphate ester.

In one aspect of the invention, the polyesters useful in the processesof the invention can comprise a triphenyl phosphate ester.

In one aspect of the invention, the polyesters useful in the processesof the invention can comprise triphenyl phosphate.

In one aspect of the invention, blow molded articles are providedwherein the processes of the invention result in a container.

In one aspect of the invention, blow molded articles are providedwherein the processes of the invention result in a bottle.

In one aspect of the invention, blow molded articles are providedwherein the processes of the invention result in a baby bottle.

In one aspect of the invention, blow molded articles are providedwherein the processes of the invention result in a foodstuff container.

The blow molded articles of the invention can be substantially bisphenolA.

The articles of manufacture of the invention can also be bisphenol Afree.

The processes of this invention and/or the products resulting therefromhave advantages which include but are not limited to: favorable consumerperception because of the lack of BPA in the final product; goodchemical resistance, and good hydrolytic stability.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained bymeans of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description of certain embodiments of theinvention and the working examples.

In accordance with the purposes of this invention, certain embodimentsof the invention are described in the Summary of the Invention and arefurther described herein below. Also, other embodiments of the inventionare described herein.

Definitions

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understoodas being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly,unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth inthe following specification and attached claims are approximations thatmay vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained bythe present invention. At the very least, each numerical parametershould be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Further, the rangesstated in this disclosure and the claims are intended to include theentire range specifically and not just the endpoint(s). For example, arange stated to be 0 to 10 is intended to disclose all whole numbersbetween 0 and 10 such as, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., as well as theendpoints 0 and 10. Also, a range associated with chemical substituentgroups such as, for example, “C₁ to C₅ hydrocarbons,” is intended tospecifically include and disclose C₁ and C₅ hydrocarbons as well as C₂,C₃, and C₄ hydrocarbons.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include their plural referents unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to the processing ormaking of a “bottle” or a “polyester,” is intended to include theprocessing or making of a plurality of bottles, or polyesters.References to a composition containing or including “an” alkyl radicalor “a” blend is intended to include other ingredients or othercomponents, respectively, in addition to the one named.

By “comprising” or “containing” or “including,” this disclosure intendsthat at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step,etc., is present in the composition or article or method, but does notexclude the presence of other compounds, catalysts, materials,particles, method steps, etc., even if the other such compounds,materials, particles, method steps, etc., have the same function as whatis named, unless expressly excluded in the claims.

It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method stepsdoes not preclude the presence of additional method steps before orafter the combined recited steps or intervening method steps betweenthose steps expressly identified. Moreover, the lettering of processsteps or ingredients is a convenient means for identifying discreteactivities or ingredients and it is to be understood that the recitedlettering can be arranged in any sequence, unless otherwise indicated.

For purposes of this application, “shrinkage” or “percent shrink” or“percent shrinkage” is a measure of a blow molded article'ssusceptibility to size reduction when subjected to elevated temperaturesfor the first time after being manufactured. Shrinkage is determined byimmersing in boiling water a blow molded article (e.g., a bottle) thathas not previously been exposed to elevated temperatures. After 1 hour,the molded article is removed from the boiling water. The internalvolume of the molded article before and after immersion in boiling wateris measured. The shrinkage is calculated by subtracting theafter-immersion volume from the pre-immersion volume and dividing thatvalue by the pre-immersion volume.

For purposes of this application, “transmission ratio” is a measure of ablow molded article's susceptibility to localized haze when the articleis contacted with human body oil (i.e., a fingerprint) and then exposedto elevated temperatures. To determine the transmission ratio, the blowmolded article (e.g., bottle) is cut in half. One half of the article ismaintained as the pre-boil control, and the other half is contacted withhuman body oil (touched by a finger) and then placed in boiling waterfor 1 hour. A laser light beam is then transmitted through the sidewallof each half-bottle and its intensity recorded. Transmission is measuredby irradiating the sample with a 3 mW HeNe laser and measuringtransmitted intensity using a digital photometer. Sample to detectordistance is held constant at 8 cm. The transmission ratio is calculatedas the ratio of the average transmitted intensity at three exposedlocations (i.e., locations within the fingerprint spot) divided by theaverage transmitted intensity at two unexposed locations.

For purposes of this application, “stretch ratio” or “SR” or “S.R.” is ameasure of the degree of expansion (i.e., stretching) associated withblow molding a preform into an article (e.g., a bottle). Stretch ratiois defined by the following equation:

${S.R.} = {\frac{D_{B}}{D_{P}}*\frac{L_{B}}{L_{P}}}$where D_(B) is the maximum outer diameter of the sidewall of the blowmolded article (e.g., bottle), D_(P) is the minimum outer diameter ofthe sidewall of the preform, L_(B) is the overall length of the blowmolded article (e.g., bottle) minus 20 mm for the finish, and L_(P) isthe overall length of the preform minus 20 mm for the finish.

For purposes of this application, “calculated stretch ratio” or “CSR” isdefined by the following equation:CSR=(0.022)(PT)+(0.074)(Tg)−10where PT is the preform temperature at the time of inflation and Tg isthe glass transition temperature of the polymeric material from whichthe blow molded article is formed.

For purposes of this application, “preform temperature” or “PT” isdefined as the temperature of the preform at the moment it is placedinto the blow mold (˜1 second prior to inflation).

For purposes of this application, “finish” is defined in one embodimentas as the threaded section of the bottle that accepts the closure (cap).It can also be defined as the neck of the bottle or the unstretchedportion of the blow molded article.

For purposes of this application, “calculated preform temperature” or“CPT” defined by the following equation:CPT=(45.44)(SR)−(3.36)(Tg)+454where SR is the stretch ratio of the blow molded article with respect tothe preform and Tg is the glass transition temperature of the polymericmaterial from which the blow molded article is formed.

For purposes of this application, “birefringence” or “Δn” is a measureof orientation and is defined by the following equation:

${\Delta\; n} = {\left( \frac{\left( {{TE} + {TEP}} \right)}{2} \right) - {TM}}$where TE is the index of refraction measured in the axial dimension, TEPis the index of refraction measured in the hoop dimension and TM is theindex of refraction measured in the thickness dimension. Birefringencemeasurements herein refer to measurements taken in the sidewall of theblow molded article (e.g., bottle), not immediately adjacent to the baseor finish.

For purposes of this application, “Tg” is defined as the glasstransition temperature measured by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) at a scan rate of 20° C./min. The sample being measured shouldhave been heated above its melting point and quenched prior to the scan.

“Container” is any receptacle capable of holding foodstuffs and capableof resisting immersion in boiling water.

The term “bottle” as used herein is understood to mean a containercapable of holding liquid. The bottles of the invention can be used, forexample, for administering liquids to human beings who are fed bybottles, such as babies.

It is also envisioned that this invention could be applied to bottles,containers, or articles where resistance to immersion in boiling wateris desired. Such applications include containers used to hold foodduring boiling-water pasteurization.

“Polymeric material” refers to any material produced by thepolymerization of one or more monomers and capable of being molded.

The term “polyester”, as used herein, is intended to include“copolyesters” and is understood to mean a synthetic polymer prepared bythe reaction of one or more difunctional carboxylic acids and/ormultifunctional carboxylic acids with one or more difunctional hydroxylcompounds and/or multifunctional hydroxyl compounds. Typically, thedifunctional carboxylic acid can be a dicarboxylic acid and thedifunctional hydroxyl compound can be a dihydric alcohol such as, forexample, glycols and diols.

The term “glycol” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, diols,glycols, and/or multifunctional hydroxyl compounds, for example,branching agents. Alternatively, the difunctional carboxylic acid may bea hydroxy carboxylic acid such as, for example, p-hydroxybenzoic acid,and the difunctional hydroxyl compound may be an aromatic nucleusbearing 2 hydroxyl substituents such as, for example, hydroquinone.

The term “residue”, as used herein, means any organic structureincorporated into a polymer through a polycondensation and/or anesterification reaction from the corresponding monomer. The term“repeating unit”, as used herein, means an organic structure having adicarboxylic acid residue and a diol residue bonded through acarbonyloxy group. Thus, for example, the dicarboxylic acid residues maybe derived from a dicarboxylic acid monomer or its associated acidhalides, esters, salts, anhydrides, or mixtures thereof.

Furthermore, as used herein, the term “diacid” includes multifunctionalacids, for example, branching agents. As used herein, therefore, theterm “dicarboxylic acid” is intended to include dicarboxylic acids andany derivative of a dicarboxylic acid, including its associated acidhalides, esters, half-esters, salts, half-salts, anhydrides, mixedanhydrides, or mixtures thereof, useful in a reaction process with adiol to make polyester. As used herein, the term “terephthalic acid” isintended to include terephthalic acid itself and residues thereof aswell as any derivative of terephthalic acid, including its associatedacid halides, esters, half-esters, salts, half-salts, anhydrides, mixedanhydrides, or mixtures thereof or residues thereof useful in a reactionprocess with a diol to make polyester.

Articles of the Invention and Methods of Producing Them

The invention is generally directed to baby bottles and other articlesproduced by blow molding from polymeric materials having glasstransition temperatures ranging from 100° C. to 130° C., as well as toprocesses for producing them. These articles can be exposed to boilingwater and can be produced by using a suitable combination of a stretchratio of less than 3 and a preform temperature at least 20° C. greaterthan the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymeric material.Processes useful in the methods of the invention include stretch blowmolding, injection blow molding, extrusion blow molding, and any processin which an initial preform or parison is blown into a final article.

One typical method to measure orientation, or lack thereof, is throughoptical measurements of refractive index, which can be used to calculatebirefringence. In one embodiment, the articles produced according tothis invention have birefringence values equal to or less than a valuedetermined by the equation (103−Tg)/735, where Tg is the glasstransition temperature of the polymer measured in degrees C. For apolymer with a Tg of 125° C., birefringence values must therefore beless than 0.030. For a polymer with a Tg of 120° C., birefringencevalues must therefore be less than 0.023. For a polymer with a Tg of115° C., birefringence values must therefore be less than 0.016. For apolymer with a Tg of 110° C., birefringence values must therefore beless than 0.010.

One advantage provided by the present invention is the ability to makebaby bottles and other articles capable of being exposed to boilingwater with polymeric materials, such as polyesters, having glasstransition temperatures ranging from 100° C. to 130° C., and having acertain combination of two or more of high impact strength, toughness,good color, clarity, low haze values, chemical resistance, andhydrolytic stability.

For example, articles produced using conventional stretch ratios of 3 orhigher and low preform temperatures result in articles with limitedchemical resistance, which upon normal handling conditions and immersionin boiling water develop haze, shrinkage, and/or distortion. In oneexample of the bottles made by conventional methods, fingerprints on thebottle become permanently etched on the surface of the bottle afterboiling the bottle in water, resulting in unacceptable haze. Thechemical in this situation is simply the oil omnipresent on human skin.In contrast, the articles made by the methods of the invention displaysuitable haze values for applications that require clarity, such as babybottle applications.

The development of fingerprint haze due to boiling water exposure can bequantified by measuring the relative light intensity of a laser lightbeam transmitted through a fingerprinted bottle both before and afterexposure to boiling water. The ratio of laser light intensity beforeexposure divided by the laser light intensity after exposure is hereforedefined as the transmission ratio. Transmission ratio values less than0.80 corresponded to a noticeable observation of haze. In oneembodiment, the articles of this invention have transmission ratios of0.80 or greater. In one embodiment, the articles of this invention havetransmission ratios of 0.85 or greater. In one embodiment, the articlesof this invention have transmission ratios of 0.90 or greater. In oneembodiment, the articles of this invention have transmission ratios of0.95 or greater. Also, bottles and articles made by conventional methodsusing polymeric materials with a Tg from 100 to 130° C. show shrinkageor distortion after being immersed in boiling water for the first time.Articles made according to the invention show shrinkage of 5% or lessafter being immersed in boiling water for one hour. In anotherembodiment, articles made according to the invention show shrinkage of4% or less after being immersed in boiling water for one hour. Inanother embodiment, articles made according to the invention showshrinkage of 3% or less after being immersed in boiling water for onehour. In another embodiment, articles made according to the inventionshow shrinkage of 2% or less after being immersed in boiling water forone hour. In another embodiment, articles made according to theinvention show shrinkage of 1% or less after being immersed in boilingwater for one hour.

The articles of the invention are produced by using a suitablecombination of a stretch ratio of less than 3 and a preform temperatureat least 20° C. greater than the Tg of the polymeric material. Ingeneral, as the stretch ratio increases, so does the temperature of thepreform used to produce an article of the invention. This relation canbe described by the following equation: %Shrink=[15.9+(1.42*SR)−(0.105*Tg)−(0.0312*PT)]³, where SR is the stretchratio, Tg is the glass transition of the polymer in degrees C, and PT isthe temperature of the preform in degrees C. Thus, if the Tg of thepolymer was 115° C. and the stretch ratio was 1.4, then the temperatureof the preform would have to be 132° C. or greater to obtain shrinkagevalues of 5% or less. Alternatively, if the Tg of the polymer was 115°C. and the stretch ratio was 2.0, then the temperature of the preformwould have to be 159° C. or greater to obtain shrinkage values of 5% orless after 1 hour of boiling. The maximum allowable shrinkage (% shrink)is 5%, preferably 4%, more preferably 3%, most preferably 2%. TypicalPET bottles are blown with an air pressure of 100 psi. In general,reducing the blow pressure reduces the degree of orientation in thebottle. In one embodiment of the invention, the blow pressure is reducedduring the blowing of the article of the invention. In anotherembodiment, the bottles of the invention are produced at air pressuresof 75 psi or below, preferably 50 psi or below, more preferably 25 psior below.

In one embodiment, articles of the invention are produced with a stretchratio of less than or equal to 3. In other embodiments, the stretchratio is less than or equal to 2.7, less than or equal to 2.5, or lessthan or equal to 2.0. In yet another embodiment, the stretch ratioranges from 1.2 to 2.0. In another embodiment, the stretch ratio rangesfrom 1.3 to 1.7. In one embodiment, the preform temperature at the timeof inflation is Tg+20° C. or higher.

In another embodiment, the preform temperature at the time of inflationis greater than a calculated preform temperature (CPT) determined by thefollowing equation: CPT=(45.44)(SR)−(3.36)(Tg)+454, wherein SR is thestretch ratio of the bottle relative to the preform and Tg is the glasstransition temperature of the polymeric material being blow molded. Inone embodiment, the preform temperature at the time of inflation isgreater than the calculated preform temperature (CPT) by one or more ofthe following amounts: 1 to 80° C., 5 to 50° C., and/or 10 to 40° C. Inanother embodiment, the preform temperature at the time of inflation isTg+30° C. or higher. In another embodiment, the stretch ratio is lessthan 2 and the preform temperature is Tg+30° C. or higher. The preformtemperature at the time of inflation refers to the temperature of thepreform at the moment it is placed into the blow mold (˜1 second priorto inflation). In certain embodiments of the invention, the preformtemperature at the time of inflation can be at least one of thefollowing temperatures: higher than Tg+20° C., higher than Tg+25° C.,higher than Tg+30° C., higher than Tg+35° C., higher than Tg+40° C.,higher than Tg+45° C., higher than Tg+50° C., higher than Tg+55° C.,higher than Tg+60° C., higher than Tg+65° C., higher than Tg+70° C.,from Tg+20° C. to Tg+70° C., from Tg+20° C. to Tg+65° C., from Tg+20° C.to Tg+60° C., from Tg+20° C. to Tg+55° C., from Tg+20° C. to Tg+50° C.,from Tg+20° C. to Tg+45° C., from Tg+20° C. to Tg+40° C., from Tg+20° C.to Tg+35° C., from Tg+20° C. to Tg+30° C., from Tg+20° C. to Tg+25° C.,from Tg+25° C. to Tg+70°C., from Tg+25° C. to Tg+65° C., from Tg+25° C.to Tg+60° C., from Tg+25° C. to Tg+55° C., from Tg+25° C. to Tg+50° C.,from Tg+25° C. to Tg+45° C., from Tg+25° C. to Tg+40° C., from Tg+25° C.to Tg+35° C., from Tg+25° C. to Tg+30° C., from Tg+30° C. to Tg+70° C.,from Tg+30° C. to Tg+65° C., from Tg+30° C. to Tg+60° C., from Tg+30° C.to Tg+55° C., from Tg+30° C. to Tg+50° C., from Tg+30° C. to Tg+45° C.,from Tg+30° C. to Tg+40° C., from Tg+30° C. to Tg+35° C., from Tg+35° C.to Tg+70° C., from Tg+35° C. to Tg+65° C., from Tg+35° C. to Tg+60° C.,from Tg+35° C. to Tg+55° C., from Tg+35° C. to Tg+50° C., from Tg+35° C.to Tg+45° C., from Tg+35° C. to Tg+40° C., from Tg+40° C. to Tg+70° C.,from Tg+40° C. to Tg+65° C., from Tg+40° C. to Tg+60° C., from Tg+40° C.to Tg+55° C., from Tg+40° C. to Tg+50° C., from Tg+40° C. to Tg+45° C.,from Tg+45° C. to Tg+70° C., from Tg+45° C. to Tg+65° C., from Tg+45° C.to Tg+60° C., from Tg+45° C. to Tg+55° C., from Tg+45° C. to Tg+50° C.,from Tg+50° C. to Tg+70° C., from Tg+50° C. to Tg+65° C., from Tg+50° C.to Tg+60° C., from Tg+50° C. to Tg+55° C., from Tg+55° C. to Tg+70° C.,from Tg+55° C. to Tg+65° C., from Tg+55° C. to Tg+60° C., from Tg+60° C.to Tg+70° C., from Tg+60° C. to Tg+65° C., and from Tg+65° C. to Tg+70°C. In certain embodiments of the invention, the stretch ratio of thefinal article relative to the preform can be at least one of thefollowing ratios: 1.2 to less than 3, 1.2 to 3, 1.2 to 2.7, 1.2 to 2.5,1.2 to 2.0, 1.2 to 1.9, 1.2 to 1.8, 1.2 to 1.7, 1.2 to 1.6, 1.2 to 1.5,1.2 to 1.4, 1.2 to 1.3, 1.3 to less than 3, 1.3 to 3, 1.3 to 2.7,1.3 to2.5, 1.3 to 2.0, 1.3 to 1.9, 1.3 to 1.8, 1.3 to 1.7, 1.3 to 1.6, 1.3 to1.5, 1.3 to 1.4, 1.4 to less than 3, 1.4 to 3, 1.4 to 2.7, 1.4 to 2.5,1.4 to 2.0, 1.4 to 1.9, 1.4 to 1.8, 1.4 to 1.7, 1.4 to 1.6, 1.4 to 1.5,1.5 to less than 3, 1.5 to 3, 1.5 to 2.7, 1.5 to 2.5, 1.5 to 2.0, 1.5 to1.9, 1.5 to 1.8, 1.5 to 1.7, 1.5 to 1.6, 1.6 to less than 3, 1.6 to 3,1.6 to 2.7, 1.6 to 2.5, 1.6 to 2.0, 1.6 to 1.9, 1.6 to 1.8, 1.6 to 1.7,1.7 to less than 3, 1.7 to 3, 1.7 to 2.7, 1.7 to 2.5, 1.7 to 2.0, 1.7 to1.9, 1.7 to 1.8, 1.8 to less than 3, 1.8 to 3, 1.8 to 2.7, 1.8 to 2.5,1.8 to 2.0, 1.8 to 1.9, 1.9 to less than 3, 1.9 to 3, 1.9 to 2.7, 1.9 to2.5, 1.9 to 2.0, 2.0 to less than 3, 2.0 to 3, 2.0 to 2.7, 2.0 to 2.5,2.7 to less than 3, 2.7 to 3, 2.5 to 2.7, 2.5 to less than 3, 2.5 to 3,less than 3, less than 2.9, less than 2.8, less than 2.7, less than 2.6,less than 2.5, less than 2.4, less than 2.3, less than 2.2, less than2.1, less than 2.0, less than 1.9, less than 1.8, less than 1.7, lessthan 1 .6,and less than 1.5.

The preferred preform for this invention would have a length of 90% to100% of the final bottle length to provide an axial stretch ratio of 1.0to 1.1, and a diameter of 60% to 100% of the final bottle diameter toprovide a radial stretch ratio of 1.0 to 1.7. It is recognized thatdesign considerations may require that the finish diameter be smallerthan the bottle diameter, which may result in a practical diameter forthe preform being 60% to 80% of the final bottle diameter to provide aradial stretch ratio of 1.3 to 1.7. It is also recognized that thepreform may require some degree of taper to assist in removal from themold. In this case, the taper should be kept to a minimum in order tominimize the radial stretch ratio at the bottom of the preform.

It is contemplated that the processes of the invention can be carriedout at a suitable combination of any of the stretch ratios describedherein, any of the preform temperatures described herein, and any of theblow pressures described herein, unless otherwise stated. It is alsocontemplated that an article made by a process of the invention canpossess a suitable combination of any of the haze values describedherein, any of the birefringence values described herein, and any of theshrinkage values described herein, unless otherwise stated.

In another embodiment, the wall thickness of the bottle is increased.For example, in one embodiment, the thickness of the bottles is greaterthan 0.5 mm, preferably greater than 0.75 mm, more preferably greaterthan 1 mm. In one embodiment, the articles made according to theinvention and/or the polymeric material compositions useful in theinvention, with or without toners, can have color values L*, a* and b*,which can be determined using a Hunter Lab Ultrascan Spectra Colorimetermanufactured by Hunter Associates Lab Inc., Reston, Va. The colordeterminations are averages of values measured on either pellets of thepolyesters or plaques or other items injection molded or extruded fromthem. They are determined by the L*a*b* color system of the CIE(International Commission on Illumination) (translated), wherein L*represents the lightness coordinate, a* represents the red/greencoordinate, and b* represents the yellow/blue coordinate. In certainembodiments, the b* values for the polyesters useful in the inventioncan be from −10 to less than 10 and the L* values can be from 50 to 90.In other embodiments, the b* values for the polyesters useful in theinvention can be present in one of the following ranges: −10 to 9; −10to 8; −10 to 7; −10 to 6; −10 to 5; −10 to 4; −10 to 3; −10 to 2; from−5 to 9; −5 to 8; −5 to 7; −5 to 6; −5 to 5; −5 to 4; −5 to 3; −5 to 2;0 to 9; 0 to 8; 0 to 7; 0 to 6; 0 to 5; 0 to 4; 0 to 3; 0 to 2; 1 to 10;1 to 9; 1 to 8; 1 to 7; 1 to 6; 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; and 1 to 2. Inother embodiments, the L* value for the polyesters useful in theinvention can be present in one of the following ranges: 50 to 60; 50 to70; 50 to 80; 50 to 90; 60 to 70; 60 to 80; 60 to 90; 70 to 80; 79 to90.

Articles made according to the invention can be immersed in boilingwater without showing substantial detrimental shrinkage or distortion.Therefore, the invention is suitable for producing blow molded articleswhere those characteristics are desired. Examples of articles accordingto the invention include containers, bottles, baby bottles, foodcontainers, and/or foodstuff containers; containers used inboiling-water pasteurization; and containers in which to carry outsterilization, such as Infant-care sterilization containers, etc.Infant-care sterilization containers are containers configured to holdinfant-care products for use in in-home sterilization of infant-careproducts. In one embodiment, the infant-care sterilization container isa baby bottle sterilization container.

In one embodiment, baby bottles, and infant-care sterilizationcontainers have at least one additional property chosen from toughness,clarity, chemical resistance, Tg, hydrolytic stability, and dishwasherstability.

Polymeric Materials Useful in the Invention

There are various polymeric materials with Tg values ranging from 100°C. to 130° C. that could be used with this invention including, but notlimited to, polyacrylics (e.g. PMMA—polymethyl methacrylate, SANstyrene-acrylonitrile copolymer), polystyrenes, polyesters (e.g. PEN),and blends thereof. There is also a variety of other blends that canprovide a Tg in the desired range, such as polycarbonate/polyesterblends.

One useful family of polymers that can be employed with the presentinvention are polyesters. One family of polyesters that could be usedwith this invention includes polyesters formed from terephthalic acid;1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol.

Polyesters that can be used in the baby bottles of the present inventioncan be typically prepared from dicarboxylic acids and diols, which reactin substantially equal proportions and are incorporated into thepolyester polymer as their corresponding residues. The polyesters of thebaby bottles of the present invention, therefore, can containsubstantially equal molar proportions of acid residues (100 mole %) anddiol (and/or multifunctional hydroxyl compound) residues (100 mole %)such that the total moles of repeating units is equal to 100 mole %. Themole percentages provided in the present disclosure, therefore, may bebased on the total moles of acid residues, the total moles of diolresidues, or the total moles of repeating units. For example, apolyester containing 30 mole % isophthalic acid, based on the total acidresidues, means the polyester contains 30 mole % isophthalic acidresidues out of a total of 100 mole % acid residues. Thus, there are 30moles of isophthalic acid residues among every 100 moles of acidresidues. In another example, a polyester containing 30 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, based on the total diolresidues, means the polyester contains 30 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues out of a total of 100mole % diol residues. Thus, there are 30 moles of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues among every 100 molesof diol residues.

In other embodiments of the invention, the Tg of the polymeric material,such as polyacrylics, polystyrenes, polyesters, blends thereof, andpolycarbonate/polyester blends useful in the invention can be at leastone of the following ranges: 100 to 130° C.; 100 to 125° C.; 100 to 120°C.; 100 to 115° C.; 100 to 110° C.; 100 to 105° C.; 105 to 130° C.; 105to 125° C.; 105 to 120° C.; 105 to 115° C.; 105 to 110° C.; 110 to 130°C.; 110 to 125° C.; 110 to 120° C.; 110 to 115° C.; 115 to 130 ° C.; 115to 125° C.; 115 to 120° C.; 120 to 130° C.; 120 to 125° C.; 125 to 130°C.

In other embodiments of the invention, the Tg of the polymeric material,such as polyacrylics, polystyrenes, polyesters, blends thereof, andpolycarbonate/polyester blends, useful in the invention can be at leastone of the following ranges: 110to 120° C.; 111 to 120° C.; 112to 120°C.; 113to 120° C.; 114 to 120° C.; 115 to 120° C.; 116 to 120° C.; 117to 120° C.; 118 to 120° C.; 110 to 119° C.; 111 to 119° C.; 112 to 119°C.; 113 to 119° C.; 114 to 119° C.; 115 to 119° C.; 116 to 119° C.; 117to 119° C.; 118 to 119° C.; 110 to 118° C.; 111 to 118° C.; 112 to 118°C.; 113 to 118° C.; 114 to 118° C.; 115 to 118° C.; 116 to 118° C.; 117to 118° C.; 110 to 117° C.; 111 to 117° C.; 112 to 117° C.; 113 to 117°C.; 114 to 117° C.; 115 to 117° C.; 116 to 117° C.; 110 to 116° C.; 111to 116° C.; 112 to 116° C.; 113 to 116° C.; 114 to 116° C.; 115 to 116°C.; 110 to 115° C.; 111 to 115° C.; 112 to 115° C.; 113 to 115° C.; 114to 115° C.; 110 to 114° C.; 111 to 114° C.; 112 to 114° C.; 113 to 114°C.; 110 to 113° C.; 111 to 113° C.; 112 to 113° C.; 110 to 112° C.; 111to 112° C.; and 110 to 111° C.

In other embodiments of the invention, the glycol component forpolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 10 to 45 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 55 to 90 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 10 to 40 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 60 to 90 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 10 to 35 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 to 90 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 10 to 30 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 70 to 90 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 10 to 25 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and greater than 75 to 90 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 10 to 20 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 80 to 90 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and 10 to 15 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 85 to 90 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other embodiments of the invention, the glycol component forpolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 28 to 37 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 63 to 72 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 29 to 37 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 63 to 71 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 30 to 37 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 63 to 70 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 31 to 37 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 63 to 69 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 32 to 37 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 63 to 68 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 33 to 37 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 63 to 67 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 34 to 37 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 63 to 66 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 35 to 37 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 63 to 65 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and 36 to 37 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 63 to 64 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other embodiments of the invention, the glycol component forpolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 28 to 36 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 64 to 72 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 29 to 36 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 64 to 71 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 30 to 36 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 64 to 70 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 31 to 36 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 64 to 69 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 32 to 36 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 64 to 68 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 33 to 36 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 64 to 67 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 34 to 36 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 64 to 66 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and 35 to 36 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 64 to 65 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other embodiments of the invention, the glycol component forpolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 28 to 35 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 to 72 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 29 to 35 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 to 71 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 30 to 35 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 to 70 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 31 to 35 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 to 69 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 32 to 35 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 to 68 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 33 to 35 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 to 67 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and 34 to 35 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 to 66 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other embodiments of the invention, the glycol component forpolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 28 to 34 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 66 to 72 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 29 to 34 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 66 to 71 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 30 to 34 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 66 to 70 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 31 to 34 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 66 to 69 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 32 to 34 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 66 to 68 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and 33 to 34 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 66 to 67 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for polyestersuseful in the invention include but are not limited to at least one ofthe following combinations of ranges: 28 to 33 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 67 to 72 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 29 to 33 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 67 to 71 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 30 to 33 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 67 to 70 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 31 to 33 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 67 to 69 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and 32 to 33 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 67 to 68 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other aspects of the invention, the glycol component for polyestersuseful in the invention include but are not limited to at least one ofthe following combinations of ranges: 28 to 32 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 68 to 72 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 29 to 32 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 68 to 71 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 30 to 32 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 68 to 70 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and 31 to 32 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 68 to 69 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other embodiments of the invention, the glycol component forpolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 28 to 31 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 69 to 72 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 29 to 31 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 69 to 71 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and 30 to 31 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 69 to 70 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

In other embodiments of the invention, the glycol component forpolyesters useful in the invention include but are not limited to atleast one of the following combinations of ranges: 28 to 30 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 70 to 72 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; 29 to 30 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 70 to 71 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and 28 to 29 mole %2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 71 to 72 mole %1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

For certain embodiments of the invention, polyesters useful in theinvention may exhibit at least one of the following inherent viscositiesas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.: 0.45 to 1.2 dL/g; 0.45 to 1.1dL/g; 0.45 to 1 dL/g; 0.45 to 0.98 dL/g; 0.45 to 0.95 dL/g; 0.45 to 0.90dL/g; 0.45 to 0.85 dL/g; 0.45 to 0.80 dL/g; 0.45 to 0.75 dL/g; 0.45 toless than 0.75 dL/g; 0.45 to 0.72 dL/g; 0.45 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.45 to lessthan 0.70 dL/g; 0.45 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.45 to less than 0.68 dL/g; 0.45 to0.65 dL/g; 0.50 to 1.2 dL/g; 0.50 to 1.1 dL/g; 0.50 to 1 dL/g; 0.50 toless than 1 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.98 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.95 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.90dL/g; 0.50 to 0.85 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.80 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.75 dL/g; 0.50 toless than 0.75 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.72 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.50 to lessthan 0.70 dL/g; 0.50 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.50 to less than 0.68 dL/g; 0.50 to0.65 dL/g; 0.55 to 1.2 dL/g; 0.55 to 1.1 dL/g; 0.55 to 1 dL/g; 0.55 toless than 1 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.98 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.95 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.90dL/g; 0.55 to 0.85 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.75 dL/g; 0.55 toless than 0.75 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.72 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.55 to lessthan 0.70 dL/g; 0.55 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.55 to less than 0.68 dL/g; 0.55 to0.65 dL/g; 0.58 to 1.2 dL/g; 0.58 to 1.1 dL/g; 0.58 to 1 dL/g; 0.58 toless than 1 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.98 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.95 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.90dL/g; 0.58 to 0.85 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.80 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.75 dL/g; 0.58 toless than 0.75 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.72 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.58 to lessthan 0.70 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.58 to less than 0.68 dL/g; 0.58 to0.65 dL/g; 0.60 to 1.2 dL/g; 0.60 to 1.1 dL/g; 0.60 to 1 dL/g; 0.60 toless than 1 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.98 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.95 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.90dL/g; 0.60 to 0.85 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.80 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.75 dL/g; 0.60 toless than 0.75 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.72 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.60 to lessthan 0.70 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.60 to less than 0.68 dL/g; 0.60 to0.65 dL/g; 0.65 to 1.2 dL/g; 0.65 to 1.1 dL/g; 0.65 to 1 dL/g; 0.65 toless than 1 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.98 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.95 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.90dL/g; 0.65 to 0.85 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.80 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.75 dL/g; 0.65 toless than 0.75 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.72 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.65 to lessthan 0.70 dL/g; 0.68 to 1.2 dL/g; 0.68 to 1.1 dL/g; 0.68 to 1 dL/g; 0.68to less than 1 dL/g; 0.68 to 0.98 dL/g; 0.68 to 0.95 dL/g; 0.68 to 0.90dL/g; 0.68 to 0.85 dL/g; 0.68 to 0.80 dL/g; 0.68 to 0.75 dL/g; 0.68 toless than 0.75 dL/g; 0.68 to 0.72 dL/g; greater than 0.76 dL/g to 1.2dL/g; greater than 0.76 dL/g to 1.1 dL/g; greater than 0.76 dL/g to 1dL/g; greater than 0.76 dL/g to less than 1 dL/g; greater than 0.76 dL/gto 0.98 dL/g; greater than 0.76 dL/g to 0.95 dL/g; greater than 0.76dL/g to 0.90 dL/g; greater than 0.80 dL/g to 1.2 dL/g; greater than 0.80dL/g to 1.1 dL/g; greater than 0.80 dL/g to 1 dL/g; greater than 0.80dL/g to less than 1 dL/g; greater than 0.80 dL/g to 1.2 dL/g; greaterthan 0.80 dL/g to 0.98 dL/g; greater than 0.80 dL/g to 0.95 dL/g;greater than 0.80 dL/g to 0.90 dL/g.

For certain embodiments of the invention, polyesters useful in theinvention may exhibit at least one of the following inherent viscositiesas determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.: 0.58 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.69dL/g; 0.58 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.67 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.66 dL/g; 0.58 to0.65 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.64 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.63 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.62 dL/g; 0.58to 0.61 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.60 dL/g; 0.58 to 0.59 dL/g; 0.59 to 0.70 dL/g;0.59 to 0.69 dL/g; 0.59 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.59 to 0.67 dL/g; 0.59 to 0.66dL/g; 0.59 to 0.65 dL/g; 0.59 to 0.64 dL/g; 0.59 to 0.63 dL/g; 0.59 to0.62 dL/g; 0.59 to 0.61 dL/g; 0.59 to 0.60 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.60to 0.69 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.67 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.66 dL/g;0.60 to 0.65 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.64 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.63 dL/g; 0.60 to 0.62dL/g; 0.60 to 0.61 dL/g; 0.61 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.61 to 0.69 dL/g; 0.61 to0.68 dL/g; 0.61 to 0.67 dL/g; 0.61 to 0.66 dL/g; 0.61 to 0.65 dL/g; 0.61to 0.64 dL/g; 0.61 to 0.63 dL/g; 0.61 to 0.62 dL/g; 0.62 to 0.70 dL/g;0.62 to 0.69 dL/g; 0.62 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.62 to 0.67 dL/g; 0.62 to 0.66dL/g; 0.62 to 0.65 dL/g; 0.62 to 0.64 dL/g; 0.62 to 0.63 dL/g; 0.63 to0.70 dL/g; 0.63 to 0.69 dL/g; 0.63 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.63 to 0.67 dL/g; 0.63to 0.66 dL/g; 0.63 to 0.65 dL/g; 0.63 to 0.64 dL/g; 0.64 to 0.70 dL/g;0.64 to 0.69 dL/g; 0.64 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.64 to 0.67 dL/g; 0.64 to 0.66dL/g; 0.64 to 0.65 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.69 dL/g; 0.65 to0.68 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.67 dL/g; 0.65 to 0.66 dL/g; 0.66 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.66to 0.69 dL/g; 0.66 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.66 to 0.67 dL/g; 0.67 to 0.70 dL/g;0.67 to 0.69 dL/g; 0.67 to 0.68 dL/g; 0.68 to 0.70 dL/g; 0.68 to 0.69dL/g; and 0.69 to 0.70 dL/g.

It is contemplated that compositions useful in the baby bottles of theinvention can possess at least one of the inherent viscosity rangesdescribed herein and at least one of the monomer ranges for thecompositions described herein unless otherwise stated. It is alsocontemplated that compositions useful in the baby bottles of theinvention can possess at least one of the Tg ranges described herein andat least one of the monomer ranges for the compositions described hereinunless otherwise stated. It is also contemplated that compositionsuseful in the baby bottles of the invention can possess at least one ofthe inherent viscosity ranges described herein, at least one of the Tgranges described herein, and at least one of the monomer ranges for thecompositions described herein unless otherwise stated.

In one aspect of the invention, the mole % ofcis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol useful in certain polyestersuseful in the baby bottles of the invention is greater than 50 mole % orgreater than 55 mole % of cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol orgreater than 70 mole % of cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol;wherein the total mole percentage ofcis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol andtrans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol is equal to a total of 100mole %. In another aspect of the invention, the mole % ofcis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol useful in the baby bottlesof the invention is 50 mole %. In another aspect of the invention, themole % of cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol useful in the babybottles of the invention is from 40 to 70 mole %.

In certain embodiments, terephthalic acid or an ester thereof, such as,for example, dimethyl terephthalate or a mixture of terephthalic acidresidues and an ester thereof can make up a portion or all of thedicarboxylic acid component used to form the polyesters useful inbottles of the invention. In certain embodiments, terephthalic acidresidues can make up a portion or all of the dicarboxylic acid componentused to form the polyesters useful in the bottles of the invention at aconcentration of at least 70 mole %, such as at least 80 mole %, atleast 90 mole % at least 95 mole %, at least 99 mole %, or even 100 mole%. In certain embodiments, higher amounts of terephthalic acid can beused in order to produce a higher impact strength polyester useful inthe baby bottles of the invention. For purposes of this disclosure, theterms “terephthalic acid” and “dimethyl terephthalate” are usedinterchangeably herein. In one embodiment, dimethyl terephthalate ispart or all of the dicarboxylic acid component used to make thepolyesters useful in the present invention. In all embodiments, rangesof from 70 to 100 mole %; or 80 to 100 mole %; or 90 to 100 mole %; or99 to 100 mole %; or 100 mole % terephthalic acid and/or dimethylterephthalate and/or mixtures thereof may be used.

In addition to terephthalic acid, the dicarboxylic acid component of thepolyester useful in the invention can comprise up to 30 mole %, up to 20mole %, up to 10 mole %, up to 5 mole %, or up to 1 mole % of one ormore modifying aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Yet another embodimentcontains 0 mole % modifying aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Thus, ifpresent, it is contemplated that the amount of one or more modifyingaromatic dicarboxylic acids can range from any of these precedingendpoint values including, for example, from 0.01 to 30 mole %, 0.01 to20 mole %, from 0.01 to 10 mole %, from 0.01 to 5 mole % and from 0.01to 1 mole. In one embodiment, modifying aromatic dicarboxylic acids thatmay be used in the present invention include but are not limited tothose having up to 20 carbon atoms, and which can be linear,para-oriented, or symmetrical. Examples of modifying aromaticdicarboxylic acids which may be used in this invention include, but arenot limited to, isophthalic acid, 4,4′-biphenyidicarboxylic acid, 1,4-,1,5-, 2,6-, 2,7-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, andtrans-4,4′-stilbenedicarboxylic acid, and esters thereof. In oneembodiment, the modifying aromatic dicarboxylic acid is isophthalicacid. In another embodiment, the modifying aromatic dicarboxylic acid isnaphthalenedicarboxylic acid. In yet another embodiment, the modifyingaromatic dicarboxylic acid is trans-4,4′-stilbenedicarboxylic acid.

The carboxylic acid component of the polyesters useful in the babybottles of the invention can be further modified with up to 10 mole %,such as up to 5 mole % or up to 1 mole % of one or more aliphaticdicarboxylic acids containing 2-16 carbon atoms, such as, for example,malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, pimelic, suberic, azelaic anddodecanedioic dicarboxylic acids. Certain embodiments can also comprise0.01 or more mole %, such as 0.1 or more mole %, 1 or more mole %, 5 ormore mole %, or 10 or more mole % of one or more modifying aliphaticdicarboxylic acids. Yet another embodiment contains 0 mole % modifyingaliphatic dicarboxylic acids. Thus, if present, it is contemplated thatthe amount of one or more modifying aliphatic dicarboxylic acids canrange from any of these preceding endpoint values including, forexample, from 0.01 to 10 mole % and from 0.1 to 10 mole %. The totalmole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %.

Esters of terephthalic acid and the other modifying dicarboxylic acidsor their corresponding esters and/or salts may be used instead of thedicarboxylic acids. Suitable examples of dicarboxylic acid estersinclude, but are not limited to, the dimethyl, diethyl, dipropyl,diisopropyl, dibutyl, and diphenyl esters. In one embodiment, the estersare chosen from at least one of the following: methyl, ethyl, propyl,isopropyl, and phenyl esters.

In one embodiment, terephthalic acid may be used as the startingmaterial. In another embodiment, dimethyl terephthalate may be used asthe starting material. In yet another embodiment, mixtures ofterephthalic acid and dimethyl terephthalate may be used as the startingmaterial and/or as an intermediate material.

The 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol may be cis, trans, or a mixture thereof,for example, a cis/trans ratio of 60:40 to 40:60. In another embodiment,the trans-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol can be present in an amount of 60 to80 mole %. In another embodiment, the trans-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanolcan be present in an amount of 70 mole % andcis-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol can be present in an amount of 30 mole %.

The glycol component of the polyester portion of the polyestercomposition useful in the baby bottles of the invention can contain 25mole % or less of one or more modifying glycols which are not2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol or 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; inone embodiment, the polyesters useful in the baby bottles of theinvention may contain less than 15 mole % or of one or more modifyingglycols. In another embodiment, the polyesters useful in the babybottles of the invention can contain 10 mole % or less of one or moremodifying glycols. In another embodiment, the polyesters useful in thebaby bottles of the invention can contain 5 mole % or less of one ormore modifying glycols. In another embodiment, the polyesters useful inthe baby bottles of the invention can contain 3 mole % or less of one ormore modifying glycols. In another embodiment, the polyesters useful inthe baby bottles of the invention can contain 0 mole % modifyingglycols. Certain embodiments can also contain 0.01 or more mole %, suchas 0.1 or more mole %, 1 or more mole %, 5 or more mole %, or 10 or moremole % of one or more modifying glycols. Thus, if present, it iscontemplated that the amount of one or more modifying glycols can rangefrom any of these preceding endpoint values including, for example, from0.01 to 15 mole % and from 0.1 to 10 mole %.

Modifying glycols useful in the polyesters useful in the baby bottles ofthe invention refer to diols other than2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanoland can contain 2 to 16 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable modifyingglycols include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol,1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-butanediol,1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, p-xylene glycol, or mixtures thereof.In one embodiment, the modifying glycol is ethylene glycol. In anotherembodiment, the modifying glycols include, but are not limited to,1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol. In another embodiment, ethyleneglycol is excluded as a modifying diol. In another embodiment,1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol are excluded as modifying diols. Inanother embodiment, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol is excluded as amodifying diol.

The polyesters and/or certain polyester/polycarbonate blends useful inthe polyesters compositions useful in the baby bottles of the inventioncan comprise from 0 to 10 mole percent, for example, from 0.01 to 5 molepercent, from 0.01 to 1 mole percent, from 0.05 to 5 mole percent, from0.05 to 1 mole percent, or from 0.1 to 0.7 mole percent, based the totalmole percentages of either the diol or diacid residues; respectively, ofone or more residues of a branching monomer, also referred to herein asa branching agent, having 3 or more carboxyl substituents, hydroxylsubstituents, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, thebranching monomer or agent may be added prior to and/or during and/orafter the polymerization of the polyester. The polyester(s) useful inthe baby bottles of the invention can thus be linear or branched. Thepolycarbonate can also be linear or branched. In certain embodiments,the branching monomer or agent may be added prior to and/or duringand/or after the polymerization of the polycarbonate.

Examples of branching monomers include, but are not limited to,multifunctional acids or multifunctional alcohols such as trimelliticacid, trimellitic anhydride, pyromellitic dianhydride,trimethylolpropane, glycerol, pentaerythritol, citric acid, tartaricacid, 3-hydroxyglutaric acid and the like. In one embodiment, thebranching monomer residues can comprise 0.1 to 0.7 mole percent of oneor more residues chosen from at least one of the following: trimelliticanhydride, pyromellitic dianhydride, glycerol, sorbitol,1,2,6-hexanetriol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolethane, and/or trimesicacid. The branching monomer may be added to the polyester reactionmixture or blended with the polyester in the form of a concentrate asdescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,654,347 and 5,696,176, whosedisclosure regarding branching monomers is incorporated herein byreference.

In one aspect, the polyesters useful in the baby bottles of theinvention are made from no 1,3-propanediol, or, 1,4-butanediol, eithersingly or in combination. In other embodiments, 1,3-propanediol or1,4-butanediol, either singly or in combination, may be used in themaking of the polyesters of this invention.

In one aspect, the polyesters useful in the baby bottles of theinvention contain no branching agent, or alternatively, at least onebranching agent is added either prior to or during polymerization of thepolyester.

In one aspect, the polyesters useful in the baby bottles of theinvention contain at least one branching agent without regard to themethod or sequence in which it is added.

In one aspect, the polyester compositions useful in the baby bottles ofthe invention contain polycarbonate.

In one aspect, the polyester compositions useful in the baby bottles ofthe invention contain no polycarbonate.

In one aspect, the polyester compositions useful in the baby bottles ofthe invention contain substantially no polycarbonate.

In one aspect, the polyester compositions useful in the baby bottles ofthe invention contain less than 15 weight % polycarbonate.

In one aspect, the polyester compositions useful in the baby bottles ofthe invention contain less than 1 0 weight % polycarbonate.

In one aspect, the polyesters useful in the baby bottles of theinvention contain from 0.01 to less than 15 mole % ethylene glycolresidues or 0.01 to less than 10 mole % ethylene glycol residues.

In one aspect, the polyesters useful in the baby bottles of theinvention contain no ethylene glycol residues.

In one aspect, the polyesters useful in the baby bottles of theinvention contain substantially no ethylene glycol residues.

In one aspect the polyester compositions useful in the baby bottles ofthe invention contain at least one thermal stabilizer and/or reactionproducts thereof.

In addition, the polymeric materials and blends useful in the babybottles of this invention may also contain from 0.01 to 25% by weight ofthe overall composition common additives such as colorants, dyes, moldrelease agents, flame retardants, plasticizers, nucleating agents,stabilizers, including but not limited to, UV stabilizers, thermalstabilizers and/or reaction products thereof, fillers, and impactmodifiers. Examples of typical commercially available impact modifierswell known in the art and useful in this invention include, but are notlimited to, ethylene/propylene terpolymers, functionalized polyolefinssuch as those containing methyl acrylate and/or glycidyl methacrylate,styrene-based block copolymeric impact modifiers, and various acryliccore/shell type impact modifiers. Residues of such additives are alsocontemplated as part of the polyester composition

The polyesters useful in the baby bottles of the invention can compriseat least one chain extender. Suitable chain extenders include, but arenot limited to, multifunctional (including, but not limited to,bifunctional) isocyanates, multifunctional epoxides, including forexample, epoxylated novolacs, and phenoxy resins. In certainembodiments, chain extenders may be added at the end of thepolymerization process or after the polymerization process. If addedafter the polymerization process, chain extenders can be incorporated bycompounding or by addition during conversion processes such as injectionmolding or extrusion. The amount of chain extender used can varydepending on the specific monomer composition used and the physicalproperties desired but is generally from 0.1 percent by weight to 10percent by weight, such as 0.1 to 5 percent by weight, based on thetotal weight of the polyester.

Thermal stabilizers are compounds that stabilize polyesters duringpolyester manufacture and/or post polymerization, including but notlimited to phosphorous compounds including but not limited to phosphoricacid, phosphorous acid, phosphonic acid, phosphinic acid, phosphonousacid, and various esters and salts thereof. These can be present in thepolyester compositions useful in the baby bottles of the invention. Theesters can be alkyl, branched alkyl, substituted alkyl, difunctionalalkyl, alkyl ethers, aryl, and substituted aryl. In one embodiment, thenumber of ester groups present in the particular phosphorous compoundcan vary from zero up to the maximum allowable based on the number ofhydroxyl groups present on the thermal stabilizer used. The term“thermal stabilizer” is intended to include the reaction product(s)thereof. The term “reaction product” as used in connection with thethermal stabilizers of the invention refers to any product of apolycondensation or esterification reaction between the thermalstabilizer and any of the monomers used in making the polyester as wellas the product of a polycondensation or esterification reaction betweenthe catalyst and any other type of additive.

In one embodiment, thermal stabilizers can be any of the previouslydescribed phosphorus-based acids wherein one or more of the hydrogenatoms of the acid compound (bonded to either oxygen or phosphorus atoms)are replaced with alkyl, branched alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkylethers, substituted alkyl ethers, alkyl-aryl, alkyl-substituted aryl,aryl, substituted aryl, and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment,thermal stabilizers, include but are not limited to, the above describedcompounds wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms bonded to an oxygenatom of the compound is replaced with a metallic ion or an ammonium ion.

In one embodiment, the thermal stabilizers include but are not limitedto alkyl, aryl or mixed alkyl aryl esters or partial esters ofphosphoric acid, phosphorus acid, phosphinic acid, phosphonic acid, orphosphonous acid. The alkyl or aryl groups can contain one or moresubstituents.

In one aspect, the phosphorus compounds comprise at least one thermalstabilizer chosen from at least one of substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl phosphate esters, substituted or unsubstituted aryl phosphateesters, substituted or unsubstituted mixed alkyl aryl phosphate esters,diphosphites, salts of phosphoric acid, phosphine oxides, and mixed arylalkyl phosphites, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof. Thephosphate esters include esters in which the phosphoric acid is fullyesterified or only partially esterified.

In one embodiment, for example, the thermal stabilizers can include atleast one phosphate ester.

In another embodiment, the phosphate esters useful in the invention caninclude but are not limited to alkyl phosphate esters, aryl phosphateesters, mixed alkyl aryl phosphate esters, and/or mixtures thereof.

In certain embodiments, the phosphate esters useful in the invention arethose where the groups on the phosphate ester include are alkyl,alkoxy-alkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl groups. These phosphateesters are generally referred to herein as alkyl and/or aryl phosphateesters. Certain preferred embodiments include trialkyl phosphates,triaryl phosphates, alkyl diaryl phosphates, dialkyl aryl phosphates,and mixtures of such phosphates, wherein the alkyl groups are preferablythose containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and the aryl groups arepreferably phenyl.

In one embodiment, the phosphate esters useful as thermal stabilizers inthe invention include but are not limited to, at least one of thefollowing: trialkyl phosphates, triaryl phosphates, alkyl diarylphosphates, and mixed alkyl aryl phosphates.

In one embodiment, the phosphate esters useful as thermal stabilizers inthe invention include but are not limited to, at least one of thefollowing: triaryl phosphates, alkyl diaryl phosphates, and mixed alkylaryl phosphates.

In one embodiment, the phosphate esters useful as thermal stabilizers inthe invention include but are not limited to, at least one of thefollowing: triaryl phosphates and mixed alkyl aryl phosphates. In oneembodiment, at least one thermal stabilizer comprises, but is notlimited to, triaryl phosphates, such as, for example, triphenylphosphate. In one embodiment, at least one one thermal stabilizercomprises, but is not limited to Merpol A.

These bottles include, but are not limited to, injection blow moldedbottles, injection stretch blow molded bottles, extrusion blow moldedbottles, and extrusion stretch blow molded bottles.

The processes of the invention can include any blow molding processesknown in the art including, but not limited to, extrusion blow molding,extrusion stretch blow molding, injection blow molding, and injectionstretch blow molding.

This invention intends to include any injection blow moldingmanufacturing process known in the art. Although not limited thereto, atypical description of injection blow molding (IBM) manufacturingprocess involves: 1) melting the resin in a reciprocating screwextruder; 2) injecting the molten resin into an injection mold to form apartially cooled tube closed at one end (i.e. a preform); 3) moving thepreform into a blow mold having the desired finished shape around thepreform and closing the blow mold around the preform; 4) blowing airinto the preform, causing the preform to stretch and expand to fill themold; 5) cooling the molded article; 6) ejecting the article from themold.

This invention intends to include any injection stretch blow moldingmanufacturing process known in the art. Although not limited thereto, atypical description of injection stretch blow molding (ISBM)manufacturing process involves: 1) melting the resin in a reciprocatingscrew extruder; 2) injecting the molten resin into an injection mold toform a partially cooled tube closed at one end (i.e. a preform); 3)moving the preform into a blow mold having the desired finished shapearound the preform and closing the blow mold around the preform; 4)stretching the preform using an interior stretch rod, and blowing airinto the preform causing the preform to stretch and expand to fill themold; 5) cooling the molded article; 6) ejecting the article from themold.

This invention intends to include any extrusion blow moldingmanufacturing process known in the art. Although not limited thereto, atypical description of extrusion blow molding manufacturing processinvolves: 1) melting the resin in an extruder; 2) extruding the moltenresin through a die to form a tube of molten polymer (i.e. a parison);3) clamping a mold having the desired finished shape around the parison;4) blowing air into the parison, causing the extrudate to stretch andexpand to fill the mold; 5) cooling the molded article; 6) ejecting thearticle of the mold; and 7) removing excess plastic (commonly referredto as flash) from the article.

This invention also intends to include any blow molded article madeusing the processes of the invention including but not limited tocontainers, bottles, and baby bottles.

EXAMPLES

The following examples further illustrate how bottles and articles ofthe invention can be made and evaluated, and are intended to be purelyexemplary of the invention and are not intended to limit the scopethereof. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight,temperature is in degrees Celsius or is at room temperature, andpressure is at or near atmospheric.

For the purposes of this invention, the term “wt” means “weight”.

The inherent viscosity (I.V.) of the polyesters was determined in 60/40(wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at25° C.

Unless stated otherwise, the glass transition temperature (Tg) wasdetermined using a TA DSC 2920 instrument from Thermal AnalystInstruments at a scan rate of 20C/min according to ASTM D3418. Thesample being measured should have been heated above its melting pointand quenched prior to the scan.

The glycol content and the cis/trans ratio of polyester compositionsused in herein were determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopy. All NMR spectra were recorded on a JEOL Eclipse Plus600 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer using eitherchloroform-trifluoroacetic acid (70-30 volume/volume) for polymers or,for oligomeric samples, 60/40(wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane withdeuterated chloroform added for lock. Peak assignments for2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCD) resonances were made bycomparison to model mono- and dibenzoate esters of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol. These model compounds closelyapproximate the resonance positions found in the polymers and oligomers.

Several materials with different Tgs were evaluated in this study:

Material A was a Bayer Makrolon polycarbonate. The Tg of the materialwas measured by DSC to be 146° C.

Material B was a composition measured by NMR to contain 100%terephthalic acid, 49% CHDM and 51% TMCD. The % cis of the TMCD was 54%.The Tg of the material was measured by DSC to be 132° C. The IV of thecomposition was 0.57 dL/g.

Material C was a composition measured by NMR to contain 100%terephthalic acid, 67% CHDM and 33% TMCD. The % cis of the TMCD was 52%.The Tg of the material was measured by DSC to be 115° C. The IV of thecomposition was 0.63 dL/g.

Material D was a composition measured by NMR to contain 100%terephthalic acid, 77% CHDM and 23% TMCD. The % cis of the TMCD was 56%.The Tg of the material was measured by DSC to be 110° C. The IV of thecomposition was 0.71 dL/g.

Material E was a composition measured by NMR to contain 100%terephthalic acid, 65% CHDM and 35% TMCD. The % cis of the TMCD was 56%.The Tg of the material was measured by DSC to be 110° C. The IV of thecomposition was 0.71 dL/g.

The bottles prepared in comparative examples 1-9 and examples 1-8 wereprepared by a reheat blow molding process. Preforms were first injectionmolded on a Cincinnati Milacron 150 ton, 6 oz. injection molding machineat a melt temperature of 285° C. The mold temperature was 27° C. and thecycle time was 55 seconds. Several days later, these preforms were blowninto bottles on a lab scale, single bottle, reheat blow molding unit.The preforms were reheated with infrared lamps to the temperatureslisted in the examples below. Preform temperatures were measured by aninfrared pyrometer with its emissivity set at 0.96. The heated preformwere transferred to the blow station, allowed to soak for 16 seconds,and then blown using an air pressure of 50 psi.

The following combinations of preforms and bottles were used in thisstudy.

W—a preform 150 mm in length and 29 mm in diameter was blown into abottle 180 mm in length and 73 mm in diameter to provide a stretch ratioof 3.1.

X—a preform 178 mm in length and 32 mm in diameter was blown into abottle 180 mm in length and 73 mm in diameter to provide a stretch ratioof 2.3.

Y—a preform 150 mm in length and 29 mm in diameter was blown into abottle 160 mm in length and 44 mm in diameter to provide a stretch ratioof 1.6.

Z—a preform 150 mm in length and 29 mm in diameter was blown into abottle 160 mm in length and having a hexagonal cross section with a 38mm inscribed diameter to provide an average stretch ratio of 1.45.

A day after manufacture, the blown bottles were immersed in boilingwater for 1 hour to measure shrinkage. The temperature of the boilingwater was measured to be 98.5C. Volumes of the bottles were measuredboth before and after immersion. The percent shrinkage was calculated bysubtracting the after-immersion volume from the pre-immersion volume anddividing that value by the pre-immersion volume. Shrinkage values of 5%or less can be considered acceptable.

Refractive index values were measured on the bottle sidewalls after theywere cut from the bottle. Refractive index was measured using a MetriconPrism Coupler. Birefringence was then calculated from the followingequation:

${\Delta\; n} = {\left( \frac{\left( {{TE} + {TEP}} \right)}{2} \right) - {TM}}$where Δn is birefringence, TE is the index of refraction measured in theaxial dimension, TEP is the index of refraction measured in the hoopdimension and TM is the index of refraction measured in the thicknessdimension. Birefringence could not be measured on eutger bottle Y or thepreform since the surface curvature was too severe on these articles.

Haze was determined as follows. First, a bottle was cut in half. Onebottle half was maintained as the pre-boil control, and the other bottlehalf was contacted with human body oil (touched by a finger) and thenplaced in boiling water for 1 hour. A laser light beam was thentransmitted through the sidewall of each half-bottle and its intensityrecorded. Transmission was measured by irradiating the sample with a 3mW HeNe laser and measuring transmitted intensity using a digitalphotometer. Sample to detector distance was held constant at 8 cm. Thetransmission ratio was calculated using the ratio of the averagetransmitted intensity at three exposed locations divided by the averagetransmitted intensity at two unexposed locations. Exposed location meansfingerprint spot, unexposed location is therefore non-fingerprintedspot. This transmission ratio is reported in the table below.Transmission ratio values less than 0.80 corresponded to a noticeableobservation of haze.

TABLE 1 Results from the preparation of bottles of the invention PreformPreform Preform Temp Tg and Stretch Temp minus Tg ShrinkageTransmittence Example Mtl (° C.) Bottle Ratio (° C.) (° C.) (%)Birefingence Ratio CEx 1 A 146 W 3.1 171 25 0 0.0181 — CEx 2 B 130 W 3.1170 40 2 0.0331 — CEx 3 C 115 W 3.1 145 30 57 0.0408 <0.3 CEx 4 C 115 W3.1 155 40 42 0.0395 <0.3 CEx 5 C 115 X 2.3 128 13 26 0.0370 <0.3 CEx 6C 115 X 2.3 145 30 14 0.0226 <0.3 CEx 7 C 115 X 2.3 160 45 5 0.0133 0.71Ex 1 C 115 X 2.3 180 65 2 0.0097 0.84 CEx 8 C 115 Y 1.6 134 19 7 — 0.38CEx 9 C 115 Y 1.6 140 25 4 — 0.45 Ex 2 C 115 Y 1.6 150 35 2 — 0.80 Ex 3C 115 Y 1.6 160 45 1 — 0.89 Ex 4 C 115 Y 1.6 170 55 1 — 0.90 CEx 10 D110 Y 1.6 142 32 11 — 0.79 CEx 11 D 110 Y 1.6 150 40 6 — 0.75 Ex 5 D 110Y 1.6 160 50 4 — 0.99 Ex 6 D 110 Y 1.6 168 58 3 — 0.95 Ex 7 E 120 Z 1.45140 20 2 0.0183 0.92 Ex 8 E 120 Z 1.45 150 30 1 0.0141 0.98 Ex 9 E 120 Z1.45 160 40 1 0.0117 0.97 Ex 10 C 115 Z 1.45 135 20 4 0.0163 0.99 Ex 11C 115 Z 1.45 140 25 3 0.0173 1.00 Ex 12 C 115 Z 1.45 150 35 2 0.01241.00 Ex 13 C 115 Z 1.45 160 45 1 0.0109 1.00 CEx 12 D 110 Z 1.45 135 2514 0.0172 0.99 CEx 13 D 110 Z 1.45 140 30 10 0.0145 1.00 Ex 14 D 110 Z1.45 150 40 5 0.0115 1.00 Ex 15 D 110 Z 1.45 160 50 3 0.0106 0.98 Ex 16C 115 Preform 1.0 n/a n/a <1 — — Ex 17 D 110 Preform 1.0 n/a n/a <1 — —

In the following examples, the effect of blow air pressure was examined.The bottles in Comparative Examples 1-5 and Examples 1-8 were preparedby a reheat blow molding process. Preforms were first injection moldedfrom Material C on a Cincinnati Milacron 150 ton, 6 oz. injectionmolding machine at a melt temperature of 285C. The mold temperature was27° C. and the cycle time was 55 seconds. Several days later, thesepreforms were blown into bottles on a lab scale, single bottle, reheatblow molding unit. The preforms were reheated with infrared lamps to atemperature of 150° C. Preform temperatures were measured by an infraredpyrometer with its emisivity set at 0.96. The heated preform weretransferred to the blow station, allowed to soak for 16 seconds, andthen blown using air pressures shown below. Preform and bottlecombination Y was used for these experiments. These examples show thatlower blow pressures produce less orientation and shrinkage.

Blow Pressure Shrinkage Example (psi) (%) Ex 19 25 1.3% Ex 20 50 1.4% Ex21 75 2.3%

The invention has been described in detail with reference to theembodiments disclosed herein, but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A process for making a baby bottle comprising blow molding a preformmade from a polymeric material, wherein the preform temperature at thetime of inflation is at least 20° C. above the Tg temperature of thepolymeric material; wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle withrespect to the preform is 2.7× or less; wherein the Tg of the polymericmaterial is from 100° C. to 130° C.; and wherein the baby bottledisplays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling water forone hour.
 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the polymericmaterial is selected from a group consisting of polyacrylics,polystyrenes, polyesters; blends thereof, and polycarbonate/polyesterblends.
 3. A process according to claim 1, wherein the polymericmaterial is a polyester composition.
 4. A process according to claim 3,wherein the polyester composition comprises: (I) at least one polyester,which comprises (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: i) 70 to100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromaticdicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and iii) 0 to10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbonatoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: i) 10 to 50 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and ii) 50 to 90 mole% of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein the total mole % of thedicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and the total mole % of theglycol component is 100 mole %; wherein the inherent viscosity of thepolyester is from 0.45 to 1.0 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C. 5.A process according to claim 4, wherein the glycol component of thepolyester composition comprises 20 to 45 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 55 to 80 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; wherein the inherent viscosity ofthe polyester is from 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.;and wherein the polyester has a Tg of from 105 to 125° C.
 6. A processaccording to claim 4, wherein the glycol component of the polyestercomposition comprises 30 to 40 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 60 to 70 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; wherein the inherent viscosity ofthe polyester is from 0.58 to 0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.;and wherein the polyester has a Tg of from 115 to 125° C.
 7. A processaccording to claim 4, wherein the glycol component of the polyestercomposition comprises 33 to 37 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 63 to 67 mole % of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; wherein the inherent viscosity ofthe polyester is from 0.60 to 0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.;and wherein the polyester has a Tg of from 118 to 122° C.
 8. A processaccording to claim 1, wherein the preform temperature at the time ofinflation is at least 30° C. above the Tg temperature of the polymericmaterial.
 9. A process according to claim 1, wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is from 30° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polymeric material to 70° C. above the Tg temperatureof the polymeric material.
 10. A process according to claim 1, whereinthe preform temperature at the time of inflation is from 30° C. abovethe Tg temperature of the polymeric material to 60° C. above the Tgtemperature of the polymeric material.
 11. A process according to claim1, wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle with respect to thepreform is from 1.2× to 2.7×.
 12. A process according to claim 1,wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle with respect to the preformis from 1.2× to 2.5×.
 13. A process according to claim 1, wherein thestretch ratio of the baby bottle with respect to the preform is from1.2× to 2.0×.
 14. A process according to claim 1, wherein the stretchratio of the baby bottle with respect to the preform is from 1.3× to1.7×.
 15. A process according to claim 1, wherein the Tg of thepolymeric material is from 105° C. to 125° C.
 16. A process according toclaim 1, wherein the Tg of the polymeric material is from 115° C. to125° C.
 17. A process according to claim 1, wherein the Tg of thepolymeric material is from 118° C. to 122° C.
 18. A process according toclaim 1, wherein the baby bottle has a shrinkage of 4% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.
 19. A process according toclaim 1, wherein the baby bottle has a shrinkage of 3% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.
 20. A process according toclaim 1, wherein the baby bottle has a shrinkage of 2% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.
 21. A process according toclaim 1, wherein the baby bottle has a shrinkage of 1% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.
 22. A process according toclaim 1, wherein a side wall of the baby bottle has a transmission ratioof 0.80 or greater after immersion in boiling water for one hour.
 23. Aprocess according to claim 1, wherein a side wall of the baby bottle hasa transmission ratio of 0.85 or greater after immersion in boiling waterfor one hour.
 24. A process according to claim 1, wherein a side wall ofthe baby bottle has a transmission ratio of 0.90 or greater afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.
 25. A process according toclaim 1, wherein a side wall of the baby bottle has a transmission ratioof 0.95 or greater after immersion in boiling water for one hour.
 26. Aprocess according to claim 1, wherein a side wall of the baby bottle hasa birefringence of 0.02 or less.
 27. A process according to claim 1,wherein a side wall of the baby bottle has a birefringence of 0.015 orless.
 28. A process according to claim 1, wherein a side wall of thebaby bottle has a birefringence of 0.01 or less.
 29. A process formaking a baby bottle comprising blow molding a preform made from apolyester composition, wherein the preform temperature at the time ofinflation is at least 20° C. above the Tg temperature of the polyestercomposition; wherein the stretch ratio of the baby bottle with respectto the preform is from 1.2× to 2.5×; wherein the Tg of the polyestercomposition is from 105° C. to 125° C.; wherein the baby bottle displaysshrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling water for one hour;wherein the polyester composition comprises: (I) at least one polyester,which comprises (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: i) 70 to100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromaticdicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and iii) 0 to10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbonatoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: i) 30 to 40 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and ii) 60 to 70 mole% of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein the total mole % of thedicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and the total mole % of theglycol component is 100 mole %; wherein the inherent viscosity of thepolyester is from 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.30. A blow molding process comprising: blow molding a preform into abottle, wherein the stretch ratio (SR) of said bottle with respect tosaid preform is 3.0 or less, wherein said preform is formed of apolymeric material having a glass transition temperature (Tg) from 100to 130° C., wherein the preform temperature at the time of inflation isgreater than a calculated preform temperature (CPT) determined by thefollowing equation:CPT=(45.44)(SR)−(3.36)(Tg)+454.
 31. The blow molding process accordingto claim 30 wherein the preform temperature at the time of inflation is1 to 80° C. greater than said calculated preform temperature.
 32. Theblow molding process according to claim 30 wherein the preformtemperature at the time of inflation is 10 to 70° C. greater than saidcalculated preform temperature.
 33. The blow molding process accordingto claim 30 wherein the preform temperature at the time of inflation is20 to 60° C. greater than said calculated preform temperature.
 34. Theblow molding process according to claim 30, wherein the stretch ratio ofsaid bottle with respect to said preform is from 1.2 to 2.5.
 35. Theblow molding process according to claim 30, wherein the stretch ratio ofsaid bottle with respect to said preform is from 1.2 to 2.0.
 36. Theblow molding process according to claim 30, wherein the stretch ratio ofsaid bottle with respect to said preform is from 1.3 to 1.7.
 37. Theblow molding process according to claim 30 wherein said bottle displaysshrinkage of 5% or less after immersion in boiling water for one hour.38. The blow molding process according to claim 30 wherein said bottledisplays shrinkage of 4% or less after immersion in boiling water forone hour.
 39. The blow molding process according to claim 30 whereinsaid bottle displays shrinkage of 3% or less after immersion in boilingwater for one hour.
 40. The blow molding process according to claim 30wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 2% or less after immersion inboiling water for one hour.
 41. The blow molding process according toclaim 30 wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 1% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.
 42. The blow molding processaccording to claim 30 wherein said polymeric material has a Tg from 105to 125° C.
 43. The blow molding process according to claim 30 whereinsaid polymeric material has a Tg from 110 to 125° C.
 44. The blowmolding process according to claim 30 wherein said polymeric materialhas a Tg from 115 to 125° C.
 45. The blow molding process according toclaim 33 wherein said bottle has a transmission ratio of 0.80 orgreater.
 46. The blow molding process according to claim 30 wherein saidbottle has a transmission ratio of 0.90 or greater.
 47. The blow moldingprocess according to claim 33 wherein said bottle has a transmissionratio of 0.95 or greater.
 48. The blow molding process according toclaim 30 wherein said bottle has a birefringence of 0.02 or less. 49.The blow molding process according to claim 30 wherein said bottle has abirefringence of 0.015 or less.
 50. The blow molding process accordingto claim 30 wherein said bottle has a birefringence of 0.01 or less. 51.The blow molding process according to claim 30 wherein said polymericmaterial has an inherent viscosity from 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g as determinedin 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5g/100 ml at 25° C.
 52. The blow molding process according to claim 30wherein said polymeric material has an inherent viscosity from 0.60 to0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at aconcentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.
 53. A process according to claim30 wherein the stretch ratio of said bottle with respect to said preformis 2.0 or less, wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 3% or lessafter immersion in boiling water for one hour, wherein said polymericmaterial has a Tg from 105 to 125° C., wherein said bottle has atransmission ratio of 0.90 or greater, wherein said bottle has abirefringence of 0.015 or less, and wherein said polymeric material hasan inherent viscosity from 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40(wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at25° C.
 54. The blow molding process according to claim 30 wherein saidpolymeric material is selected from the group consisting ofpolyacrylics, polystyrenes, polyesters; blends thereof, andpolycarbonate/polyester blends.
 55. The blow molding process accordingto claim 30 wherein said polymeric material comprises a polyester in anamount of at least 95 weight percent based on the total weight of saidpolymeric material.
 56. The blow molding process according to claim 30wherein said polymeric material comprises a polyester in an amount of atleast 99.5 weight percent based on the total weight of said polymericmaterial.
 57. The blow molding process according to claim 30 whereinsaid polymeric material comprises terephthalic acid residues,2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues.
 58. The blow molding processaccording to claim 30 wherein said polymeric material comprises at leastone polyester, which comprises (a) a dicarboxylic acid componentcomprising: i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; ii) 0 to30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbonatoms; and iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residueshaving up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: i)10 to 50 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; andii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein thetotal mole % of said dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and thetotal mole % of said glycol component is 100 mole %.
 59. The blowmolding process according to claim 58 wherein said glycol component ofsaid polyester comprises 20 to 45 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and 55 to 80 mole % of1,4cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein said polyester has aninherent viscosity from 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.,and wherein said polyester has a Tg from 105 to 125° C.
 60. The blowmolding process according to claim 58 wherein said glycol component ofsaid polyester comprises 30 to 40 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and 60 to 70 mole % of1,4cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein said polyester has aninherent viscosity from 0.58 to 0.74 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.,and wherein said polyester has a Tg from 115 to 125° C.
 61. A processaccording to claim 60 wherein the stretch ratio of said bottle withrespect to said preform is 2.0 or less, wherein said bottle displaysshrinkage of 3% or less after immersion in boiling water for one hour,wherein said bottle has a transmission ratio of 0.90 or greater, andwherein said bottle has a birefringence of 0.015 or less.
 62. The blowmolding process according to claim 61 wherein said bottle is a babybottle.
 63. A blow molding process comprising: blow molding a preforminto a bottle, wherein said preform is formed of a polymeric materialhaving a glass transition temperature (Tg) from 100 to 130° C., whereinthe preform temperature (PT) at the time of inflation is at least 20° C.above the Tg of said polymeric material, wherein the stretch ratio ofsaid bottle with respect to said preform is less than a calculatedstretch ratio (CSR) determined by the following equation:CSR=(0.022)(PT)+(0.074)(Tg)−10.
 64. The blow molding process accordingto claim 63 wherein said stretch ratio of said bottle with respect tosaid preform is 20 to 99% of said calculated stretch ratio.
 65. The blowmolding process according to claim 63 wherein said stretch ratio of saidbottle with respect to said preform is 30 to 95% of said calculatedstretch ratio.
 66. The blow molding process according to claim 63wherein said stretch ratio of said bottle with respect to said preformis 40 to 90% of said calculated stretch ratio.
 67. The blow moldingprocess according to claim 63 wherein said preform temperature at thetime of inflation is at least 30° C. above the Tg of said polymericmaterial.
 68. The blow molding process according to claim 63 whereinsaid preform temperature at the time of inflation is from 30° C. abovethe Tg of said polymeric material to 70° C. above the Tg of saidpolymeric material.
 69. The blow molding process according to claim 63wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 5% or less after immersion inboiling water for one hour.
 70. The blow molding process according toclaim 63 wherein said bottle displays shrinkage of 3% or less afterimmersion in boiling water for one hour.
 71. The blow molding processaccording to claim 63 wherein said polymeric material has a Tg from 105to 125° C.
 72. The blow molding process according to claim 63 whereinsaid bottle has a transmission ratio of 0.90 or greater.
 73. The blowmolding process according to claim 63 wherein said bottle has atransmission ratio of 0.95 or greater.
 74. The blow molding processaccording to claim 63 wherein said bottle has a birefringence of 0.02 orless.
 75. The blow molding process according to claim 63 wherein saidbottle has a birefringence of 0.015 or less.
 76. The blow moldingprocess according to claim 63 wherein said polymeric material has aninherent viscosity from 0.55 to 0.80 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt)phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.77. The blow molding process according to claim 63 wherein saidpolymeric material comprises terephthalic acid residues,2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues.
 78. The blow molding processaccording to claim 63 wherein said polymeric material comprises at leastone polyester, which comprises (a) a dicarboxylic acid componentcomprising: i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; ii) 0 to30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbonatoms; and iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residueshaving up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: i)10 to 50 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; andii) 50 to 90 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein thetotal mole % of said dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and thetotal mole % of said glycol component is 100 mole %.
 79. The blowmolding process according to claim 78 wherein said glycol component ofsaid polyester comprises 30 to 40 mole % of2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and 60 to 70 mole % of1,4cyclohexanedimethanol residues.
 80. The blow molding processaccording to claim 63 wherein said bottle is a baby bottle.